History of Gymnastics | iSport.com History of Gymnastics History of Gymnastics Gymnastics is one of the most popular Olympic sports. It combines grace, beauty, athleticism, and strength in a thrilling display of competition that has captivated fans since the debut of the modern Olympic Games. Soldier Requirement Gymnastics formally originated in ancient Greece, where it was used by soldiers to get ready for war. The skills and strength needed to perform gymnastic moves-running, jumping, tumbling, mounting and dismounting horses-were all thought to be great assets to those battling on the war field. As a result, gymnastics became a vital component of Greek education. It was mandatory for all students to practice the sport and eventually the gymnasiums developed into schools where gymnastics, music, and mathematics were all taught and perfected. And as the Roman Empire gained power and ascended to the Greek peninsula, Greek gymnastics evolved into nothing more than glorified military training. This tradition continued across centuries and continents. In the early 19th century, the United States Military began adopting gymnastics for their own training programs.

By the 20th century, the US Army had a mandatory list of drills for soldiers to practice, a culmination of gymnastic maneuvers targeted to build muscles and strengthen active young men. In the beginning of the 20th century, however, militaries around the world began to focus on a different kind of strength-advanced technology, equipment and arsenals of weaponry. As a result, gymnastics lost its power as a military training tool and eventually became a respected sport in its own right. Modern Day Apparatus is Born The sport of modern gymnastics really began to develop in the late 18th to early 19th centuries. During this time, two physical educators named Johann Friedrich GutsMuth and Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, designed the now familiar apparatuses like the horizontal bar, parallel bars, side horse with pommels, balance beam, and vaulting horse. Boys were taught how to perform specific activities on each different apparatus and with such technique specification, the sport of gymnastics was born. For this reason, Freidrich Jahn is known as the "father of gymnastics." In the 1920s, women could only compete in synchronized calisthenics.

It wasn't until 1952 that all women were eligible to compete in a wider variety of gymnastic events. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) formed in 1891 and five years later, gymnastics was included in the first modern Olympic Games, where Germany dominated and took home almost every medal in the competition. Women first started participating in gymnastic events in the 1920s and were first included in the Olympics in the 1928 Games held in Amsterdam. Gymnastics is Standardized In 1954, the sport was standardized to regulate the different events and apparatuses for women and men. Men's gymnastics was set to include both individual and team events with the following apparatuses: Floor, horizontal bar, parallel bars, still rings, pommel horse, and vault. Women were allowed to compete in four events as individuals and as a team: Vault, balance beam, uneven parallel bars, and floor. The ten to one scoring system was also introduced that same year and by 1955, modern gymnastics had become the sport we recognize today. In 1962, rhythmic gymnastics was recognized by FIG as a legal competition.

However, it wasn't until the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles that it officially became an Olympic event. Trampoline was added as an official Olympic sport in the 2000 Sydney Games. Both rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline fall under the athletic umbrella of gymnastics. The Perfect 10 For years, the sport of gymnastics was considered a strength sport for men and a grace sport for women-men would score high for their extreme power and physicality, and women would score high for their grace and artistic flourish. In 1972, however, that double standard changed when a 17-year old Soviet gymnast named Olga Korbut burst onto the gymnastic scene. She was the first woman to combine strength and power with the grace expected of a female gymnast and her sky-high scores proved the style was here to stay. During the 1970s, television audiences continued to be captivated by the amazing feats of gymnasts. In the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, another young female gymnast won the hearts of people world-wide. Her name: Nadia Comaneci.

The ponytailed little girl completed four routines that scored perfect ten's: Two on the balance beam, one on the uneven bars and one on the floor exercise. Her perfect scores and inspiring feats caused a wave of young kids across the world to sign up for gymnastics lessons. Mary-Lou Retton was one of these girls. She was coached by Bela Karolyi, Nadia's former coach, and competed with power and gusto on her way to two perfect 10's in the 1984 Olympics, which led to her winning the women's All-Around Champion title. Controversy Creates Change For over 80 years, gymnastics was based on a point scale that ranged from one to ten. A perfect score of 10 was the stuff of legend (as seen with Nadia Comaneci) and the ultimate goal of every gymnast. But after Comaneci and the 1976 Olympics, judges started to become more liberal with their scores and the "10" lost much of its significance. In the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, for example, 44 perfect tens were handed out.

As a result of score inflation, it became increasingly difficult to differentiate between a good routine (performed well and with high levels of difficulty) and an excellent routine (performed perfectly and with an even higher degree of difficulty). In the 1990s, the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) felt that too many ten's were being awarded and decided to overhaul the entire system. They gave routines start values based on level of difficulty and the succession of tricks in the routine. Any error would deduct from that start value - making it virtually impossible to score a 10. This scoring system stood throughout the 1990s. However in 2004 at the Athens games, controversy erupted. American Paul Hamm was awarded the gold medal in the men's all-around competition after winning by only 12/1000's of a point. Later, the bronze medal winner, Yang Tae Young from South Korea, filed a protest claiming that his final score on the parallel bars was inaccurate because it was mistakenly given an incorrect start value. If the start value for the routine had been correct, Young-not Hamm-would have won the gold. A huge controversy ensued.

Three of the judges were fired, Hamm was asked to give up his medal, then asked to share it, and finally after a lengthy court process, was officially recognized as the winner. Spurred by this controversy, in 2005 the FIG changed its code of points to reflect a new way of differentiating between gymnast's routines. The perfect 10 was dismissed for a new, more complicated judging procedure that analyzed performances based on starting difficulty and execution. In the current system, a good score is usually in the mid-to-high 16's-not quite the same ring as the perfect 10, but possibly more fair and accurate for the competitors. Where We Are Today Throughout the years, gymnastic greats such as Shannon Miller, Keri Strug, Paul Hamm, Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin and many others, have carried gymnastics popularity throughout the world. Today gymnastics is one of the most popular Olympic sports and thousands of children around the world sign up for gymnastic lessons every year. Share this Guide: Information About the Vault in Gymnastics By Amy Van Deusen Updated May 22, 2016. Vault is one of two events in artistic gymnastics that both men and women perform.

(The other is the floor exercise ). It's an explosive, exciting event, with very little margin for error. Though a vault is over in a matter of seconds, it has equal weight to the other events in which a gymnast competes. The Vaulting Table: All gymnasts vault over a piece of apparatus called the table , a slightly-inclined, metal piece of equipment with a padded and springy cover. For men it is set at a height of 4 feet 5 inches (135 cm), while for women it is at a height of 4 feet 3 inches (125 cm). In 2001, the apparatus was changed, from a long cylindrical structure (similar to the pommel horse ) to the current table. Therefore, it's sometimes still referred to as the vaulting horse. The relatively new vaulting table is designed to be safer for gymnasts because of its large push-off area (its length is almost 4 feet and its width about 3 feet). Vaults are divided into five different groups, called families.

continue reading below our video Tips for a Perfect Vault Routine The most common families performed are the front handspring style , the 1/4 turn in pre-flight (called a Tsukahara or Kasamatsu depending on the technique), and the round-off entry (often called Yurchenko-style ). In elite competitions, such as the Olympics, worlds, and US national championships, gymnasts perform one vault in team and individual all-around events , and two vaults from different families in the individual vault finals and in qualifications to the event finals. Competitors can perform any vault they choose, and usually select the most difficult vault they can perform successfully. The Phases of a Vault: Gymnasts perform five distinct phases to every vault: The Run The gymnast begins at the end of a runway approximately 82 feet or less from the table. (She* may choose the exact distance of the run). She then runs towards the table, building up speed as she goes. When the gymnast is about 3-6 feet from the springboard, she performs a hurdle (a low jump from one foot to two feet) or round-off onto the springboard.

What to Watch: Though this part of the vault is not officially judged, the gymnast should be running as fast as possible in order to build momentum for her vault. The Pre-Flight This is the time between when a gymnast hits the springboard and when she makes contact with the table. What to Watch: Tight form is very important at this stage, because a gymnast doesn't want to lose the power built up from her run. The gymnast’s legs should be together and straight, with toes pointed. Her arms should be stretched by her ears. Contact with the Table The gymnast touches the table, and then pushes off with her hands as forcefully as possible to propel her body into the air. What to Watch: As with the pre-flight, it's very important for the gymnast to maintain a tight body position to create as powerful a vault as possible. Think of a pencil versus a wet noodle. The pencil can bounce off the ground on its end, whereas a wet noodle certainly can't! The Post-Flight This is the most exciting part of the vault. The gymnast has pushed off the table and is now in the air, usually performing flips and twists before she lands.

What to Watch: Both height and distance are judged, as well as form such as pointed toes and tight-together legs. Gymnastics Glossary | iSport.com Gymnastics Glossary A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A A skills - The lowest level moves in a gymnastic routine. For example a back handspring is an “A” level skill. Acro - Tumbling skill on the floor or balance beam. Used most commonly when referring to a combination of dance requirements. Acrobatics - Elements of gymnastics that require control, balance, strength and flexibility. Examples include slower skills like a front walkover for women or corner skills for men. Adagio - A dance term that refers to a slow, sustained movement. Adolph - A front somersault in the layout position with three-and-one-half twists; performed on trampoline. Aerial - A gymnastics move, in which the gymnast rotates in the air without touching the apparatus with his or her hands. Also referred to as a no-handed cartwheel or front walkover. All-around - A category of gymnastic competition that includes all of the events.

The person with the highest total score from all the events is the all-around champion. Allegro - A dance term used to describe fast, quick jumps. There are two types: grand (large jumps) and petite (small jumps). Alternates - A tumbling pass that connects two somersaults (saltos) by use of a handspring. Usually refers to a backward tumbling pass. (e.g. roundoff whip back handspring whip.) Amplitude - The height or difficulty of a movement. In general, the higher the movement, the better the amplitude and the score. Apparatus - A piece of equipment used in gymnastics competitions. The common apparatuses used in gymnastics include: the balance beam, parallel bars, uneven parallel bars, pommel horse, vault, floor, still rings and horizontal bar. Arabesque - A dance and gymnastics pose where the body is balanced on one leg and the other leg is extended up off the floor behind the body. Arch position - A backwards curve of the body-- usually refers to the backwards curve of the spine. Attitude - A dance pose similar to the arabesque.

The body is balanced on one leg while the other leg is extended in front of the body, behind the body or to the side of the body in a slightly bent knee position. B Back flip - A backwards somersault in the air performed in either the tuck, pike or layout position. Back giant - A skill performed on either the high bar, uneven parallel bar or parallel bar where the body circles around the bar. The movement starts from a handstand position and ends in the handstand position. Back walkover - A control skill where a gymnast starts in the standing position, arches her into a backbend and kicks her legs over her head to land on her feet in a step-out landing (one leg followed by the other). It is performed as one continuous movement. Backbend - A gymnastic skill where the body bends backwards in an arch position and the feet and hands touch the floor simultaneously. Back-in, full-out - A double somersault with a full twist (the complete twist is performed during the second somersault). Balance - Grounded and secure in position. A skill needed for apparatuses like the balance beam or pommel horse.

Also refers to a routine that evenly distributes acrobatic skills and dance movements. Balance beam - A long and narrow apparatus used by women in a routine designed to emphasize grace and balance. It is a solid piece of wood that is four feet high, four inches wide and 16 feet long. A balance bar routine includes a variety of acrobatic and dance skills that last for 70 to 90 seconds and ends with a dismount. Ball-out - A front somersault on the trampoline that is performed by taking off after a bounce on the back. Bar - An apparatus used by both men and women in gymnastics. Men use the high bar and the parallel bars. Women use the uneven parallel bars. Also referred to as a rail. Barani - A forward somersault with a half twist performed in the layout position. Blind change - Performed on the high bar or uneven bars. The gymnast performs a back giant, does a half turn on top of the bar, and continues in a front giant. Block - A term used to describe a rapid bounce or rebound off the floor or vault with the arms. Bonus points - Additional points awarded to a routine based on the combination of difficult skills.

The FIG has given every gymnastics skill a point value based on skills that are ranked from A to E. The bonus points are awarded if C, D and E level skills are sequenced together in a routine. Bridge - Another name for a backbend. Normally started by lying on the back, the hands and feet remain on the floor and the body is pushed up with the back arching and the stomach facing the ceiling. Buck - A short gymnastics horse without pommels. It is often used to train a gymnast on the pommel horse. Also called a pommel buck. C Candlestick - A shoulder stand with the legs in the air, feet pointed towards the ceiling and the body rested on the top of the shoulders. Cartwheel - A common gymnastic skill where a gymnast starts on one leg and places his/her hands on the ground while kicking his/her legs up into a side handstand, before continuing the motion and landing with one foot on the ground followed by the other. Cat leap - A gymnastic and ballet leap where the gymnast takes off on one leg then bends the front leg at the knee while the back leg turns out with the toe pointed. It is also known as a Pas de Chat.

Chainé turn - A half turn executed on the balls of the feet. The half turns are chained together as the head whips around to look at one spot continuously throughout the sequence of spins. Chassé - A dance movement where one leg makes a small jump and is followed by the other leg. In layman terms referred to as a gallop. Choreography - A series of artistic elements, ballet movements and acrobatics that create a floor or balance beam routine. Clear hip circle - When the body moves in a circle around the bar without the hips touching. Code of points - The official rulebook for judging gymnastics skills. Composition - The arrangement of moves in a gymnastics routine Compulsories - Required routines that all gymnasts in certain levels (Level 4,5,6) must complete. These routines have elements and skills that gymnasts in a certain level of gymnastics should be able to perform and are determined by a governing body such as USA Gymnastics or International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG). Cross - A strength skill performed on the still rings where the arms are placed outward in a “T” position with the body is perpendicular to the floor. Also called an iron cross.

D Deduction - An error that causes a gymnast to lose points in his/her score. Demi-plié - A ballet movement where the legs make a small bend at the knee while the feet remain flat on the ground. Dismount - The exit from an apparatus at the end of a routine; usually performed with a difficult twist or somersault. Dive roll - Describes a flying front somersault on the ground. The gymnast runs, leaps into the air and dives onto the floor in a handstand position and does a forward roll at the end. Double back - Two back somersaults completed consecutively in the same skill movement. Double double - Two back somersaults with two twists. One of the harder gymnastics skills performed on the floor exercise and usually performed in the layout or open tuck position. Double full - A single back somersault in the layout position with two twists. E Eagle grip - A 180 degree outward turn of the thumb and hands when gripping the bar. This movement requires increased shoulder flexibility. Elbow stand - A handstand performed on the forearms. Events - The routines done by men and women on the different apparatuses.

There are four events for women: balance beam, vault, uneven parallel bars and floor. There are six events for men: vault, pommel horse, still rings, horizontal bar, parallel bars and floor exercise. Execution - How a routine is performed; the level of form and technique used to complete a routine. A good execution might include tight legs, a good toe point, and a stuck landing. Extension - The height and stretch of the legs or arms that are raised during a dance movement. F Flip-flop - Nickname for a back handspring. This is a common movement where the gymnast takes off from one or two feet, jumps backwards onto her hands, and lands on her feet. FIG - The International Federation of Gymnastics, the international governing body for the sport of gymnastics. Flexibility - The ability of the body to stretch into various positions without pain or damage. Flic-flac - Also see back handspring . A common gymnastic movement where a gymnast takes off from one or two feet, jumps backwards onto her hands and lands on her feet. Also known as a flip-flop or a back handspring .

Flip - A tumbling element where the body does a somersault in the air without the hands touching the ground. Also called a somersault or salto. Floor exercise - A routine consisting of a variety of dance and acrobatic maneuvers and is performed on a 40 foot square spring floor. Flyaway - A back somersault dismount from the uneven bars, horizontal bar, or parallel bars. It can be performed in either the tuck, pike or layout positions. Front giant - A forward circle around the bars starting and ending in a handstand position. This is performed with the hands in a reverse grip. Front handspring - A forward tumbling skill that starts with a step or a hurdle. The body then bounces onto the hands and rotates through a handstand before landing on the feet. Front hip circle - A forward movement around the bar with the hips resting on the bar and the body rotating around the bar. Front somersault - A forward flip performed in the air without hands. It can be performed in either the tuck, pike or layout positions. It can also refer to a forward somersault on the ground.

Front walkover - A gymnastic skill where the gymnast performs a forward handstand then moves into a backbend and up to his/her feet. The entire skill is performed in a continuous motion. Full - A back somersault with one twist usually performed in the layout position. Full turn - A complete 360 degree rotation usually performed on one foot. It is a required element for both the balance beam and the floor exercise. Full-in, back-out - Two somersaults with one full twist where the twist is executed during the first somersault Full-in, full-out - Two somersaults and two twists with one twist performed on the first somersault and one twist performed on the second somersault. G Gaylord - On the high bar, an execution that involves a front giant arm-swing into a front one-and-one half somersault over the bar, before re-grabbing the bar at the end. It was named after USA gymnast, Mitch Gaylord, Giant - An arm swing on the bars in which the body and the arms are fully extended and move in a full circle around the bar. Grande jeté - A ballet term used to describe a large split-legged leap.

Grande plié - A ballet movement where the legs bend deeply at the knees and the body almost touches the ground. The feet are normally turned out and are in first, second, third, fourth or fifth ballet position. Grips - Leather straps that gymnasts wear on their hands to help them maintain a firm and solid grasp of the bar. Also known as hand guards. H Half-in, half-out - A double somersault with a half twist on the first somersault and a half twist on the second. Handspring - (see also flic-flac) A hand touch somersault used on various apparatuses where the body springs from the feet onto the hands and lands back on the feet. It can be performed in either forward or backward direction; it is usually used to link movements of a routine together. Handstand - A movement where the body is balanced on the hands and the feet are in the air, with the legs together or in a straddle or split position. Head in - A position where the head is tucked into the gymnast’s body. It is usually seen when a gymnast is in a handstand position.

Head out - A position in a handstand where the head is out away from the body causing the back to arch. Not a favorable position in most events. Healy - A gymnastics movement on the bars where a gymnast removes one arm while moving forward in a handstand and completes a full twist before re-grasping the bar with both hands. High bar - This term can refer to men’s horizontal bar apparatus or the women’s top bar on the uneven parallel bars. Hip circle - A circle around the bar in either the forward or backward motion where the hips are resting on the bar throughout the circle. Hollow - A term referring to the body position of the gymnast. The hips are pulled under, the butt is tucked in and the core of the body is scooped in rounding the chest forward. Horizontal bar - The high bar in the men’s gymnastics events. Horse - Slang for the former vaulting apparatus for both men and women. Women would vault over it when it was sideways and men would vault over it length wise. In 2001 it was officially replaced with the vaulting table that both men and women use in competition.

Hurdle - The step and skip that is used prior to a tumbling movement on the floor exercise. It is usually seen right before a gymnast performs a round off. I Inverted cross - A strength pose on the still rings where the arms are outstretched in a “T” position and the body is in a handstand. Iron cross - A strength pose on the still rings where the arms are outstretched in a “T” position and the body is perpendicular to the floor in a straight position or “L” shaped position. J Jeté - A ballet term used to describe a leap from one leg to the other. There are several types of jetés including grande and petite (big and small). K Kip - Usually performed on the bars, a movement that takes the gymnast from below the bars to above the bars. It is a compulsory requirement for level 5 gymnasts, ideally performed in a gliding motion. Kolman - A release move performed on the bars where the gymnast leaves the bar, performs two back somersaults and one full twist over the bar and then re-catches the bar at the end. It is named after Yugoslavian gymnast Alajz Kolman.

L Layout position - A straight and stretched body position. Layout step out - A back somersault in the layout position where the legs are split in the air and the body lands on one leg followed by the other. It is normally performed on the balance beam as part of a tumbling series. Leg circle - A pommel horse movement where the legs are together in a straight position and the body circles around the pommel horse. The hands alternate lifting up and down from one pommel to the other as the legs pass. This can also be performed on the floor, parallel bars and balance beam. Leotard - A one piece uniform, similar to a bathing suit, that is standard for women’s gymnastics. Limber - A term that describes a gymnast’s flexibility in the forward and backward direction. Lunge - A position of the body where the legs are spread apart on the ground and the front leg is bent and the back leg is straight. The arms are generally above the head. M Mat - A piece of gymnastics equipment that is soft and made of polyurethane foam to help cushion landings on dismounts from apparatuses such as the bars, balance beam and vault.

It is also used when a gymnast is learning new gymnastics skills. Mixed grip - A term used to describe the grip of the hands on the uneven parallel bars and horizontal bar when one hand is in the forward grip position and the other hand is in the reverse hand grip position. Mount - The entry onto apparatuses like the balance beam, parallel bars, uneven parallel bars, horizontal bars and pommel horse. It is also used to describe the first element in a gymnastics routine. Music - Used in women’s gymnastics floor exercises when the routine performed is done to a specific piece of music. Gymnasts spend many hours developing a routine that is suitable to the music as well as choosing a piece of music that will best fit the gymnast and her routine. N Nail - (see stick) Refers to a perfect dismount from an apparatus or a tumbling pass where the feet make no movement once they touch the ground. Needle scale - An arabesque performed on the floor and balance beam where the body is lowered while the hands are touching the toes, floor or balance beam. One leg remains planted on the floor or balance beam while the other leg is elevated up to the ceiling.

O Okino - A balance beam skill where the gymnast performs a triple pirouette (turn). It is named after Betty Okino. Olympic order - The competition order for international competition, decided by FIG. The order for women: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor. The order for men: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar. The order for rhythmic gymnastics: rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon. Optionals - A category of gymnastics competition where the gymnasts and coaches create their own routines with individual skills and the required elements that are determined by the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG). Optional gymnasts are ranked higher than compulsory gymnasts. Overgrip - The grip of the hands on the bar where the gymnast’s hands are on the bar and the palms of the hand are facing down with the fingers facing away from the gymnast’s body. Overshoot - A release move from the high bar to the low bar. The gymnast starts on the high bar, swings up and over the low bar, does a half twist and catches the low bar. P Parallel bars - One of the events that men perform in artistic gymnastics.

It consists of two bars that are the same height (195centimeters) and length (350cm) and about 52cm apart from one another. It is also referred to as p-bars. Pas - A dance and gymnastic term that means “to step.” Passé - A ballet position where one leg is firm on the ground and the other leg is raised so the thigh is horizontal, the knee is bent and the toes touch the inner part of the standing leg’s knee. P-bars - Nickname for the parallel bars. Peel - An involuntary release of the bar that generally results in a fall to the ground. This can happen on the uneven bars, p-bars or high bar. Pike position - When the body is bent forward at the hips with the legs straight. Pipe - A term used to refer to the men’s high bar. Pirouettes - A ballet term that refers to the skill of turning the body on a longitudinal axis. It is either performed with one leg on the floor or while the body is in a handstand on the floor, balance beam or bars. The turns are generally measured by degrees of half turns.

Pit - A training tool that consists of large pieces of soft foam that are used to cushion a landing. It is used for almost every apparatus except the pommel horse. Pivot - A dance term that refers to a turn on the ball of the foot. Plié - A dance movement that is defined by the bending of the legs. The legs can either be bent deeply (grande) or slightly (demi). Most ballet techniques start with or end with a plié. Point - Refers to a gymnasts toes that are stretched from the ankle to the toes, creating a straight line with the floor. A toe point is a very important element in gymnastics—judges expect to see pointed toes in almost all gymnastic movements. Pommel horse - The apparatus used by men that is similar to a vaulting horse, but has two sets of handles or pommels on either side of the horse (45 centimeters apart). It is generally 115cm high, 35cm wide and 160cm long. A pommel horse routine is performed by using circular body movements around the horse and adjusting the hands on and off the pommels.

Puck - A slang term that describes a gymnastics position that is in between a tuck and a pike position. It is not a position that is allowed in competition. Punch - A term that refers to bouncing off the floor, vault springboard, or balance beam instead of jumping. The legs are generally together and the reflexes are quick and strong. A common example is the punch front on the floor or balance beam: A forward somersault in the air that starts and ends with two feet. Q Gym-Tech: PE & Gymnastics equipment PE & Gymnastics Equipment Gym-Tech supply a comprehensive range of equipment & apparatus for PE & gymnastics in schools, clubs & leisure facilities. Our range includes balance beams, balance benches, vaulting equipment, parallel bars, climbing frames plus climbing, balancing and key stage equipment. Scroll down to view details of our products: Floor balance beam, carpet covered Floor Balance Beam Ideal for practice, these wooden beams are available with a clear lacquered finish or carpet covered for a more comfortable feel. the beam can be adjusted on the stands to two different heights.

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These benches feature a smooth top with a 4" balance rail underneath, plus rubber feet to protect the end rails. A pair of end hooks are fitted to one end of the bench to allow it to be attached to other apparatus such as climbing frames. Options: GBBE018 6' (1.8m) long timber balance bench £149.30 GBBE024 7'10" (2.4m) long timber balance bench £166.10 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com Gym benches Gym Benches Exclusive to Gym-Tech, the Gym Bench features a timber top with a sturdy steel frame, and is available with or without end hooks. The standard size is 7' (2.1m) long, but the bench can be custom made to other sizes.

Options: GBBB008 8' (2.4m) long Gym Bench £211.40 GBBB010 10' (3m) long Gym Bench with 2 hooks £240.00 GBBB019 Pair of hooks (can be fitted each end) £20.00 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com Padded balance benches Padded Balance Benches The same timber top and steel frame as the Gym Bench, but with the addition of a padded & pvc covered top for extra safety and comfort. The benches are also supplied complete with pairs of hooks at both ends. The standard size is 7' (2.1m) long, but the bench can be custom made to other sizes.

Options: GBBA070 7' (2.1m) long padded balance bench £166.70 GBBA080 8' (2.4m) long padded balance bench £198.30 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com Vaulting box Vaulting Box Traditional five section timber vaulting box with a padded hide top. Available in two heights, and with or without wheeling gear (used to safely & easily move the box).

Options: GVBX034 1.02m (3'4") high 5 section vaulting box £723.30 GVBX035 1.02m (3'4") high 5 section vaulting box with wheeling gear £854.00 GVBX042 1.27m (4'2") high 5 section vaulting box £774.60 GVBX043 1.27m (4'2") high 5 section vaulting box with wheeling gear £896.00 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com Bar box Bar Box Sturdy yet light, these timber bar boxes are available in three heights and have quality padded hide tops. In addition to use with a springboard, the bars can also have slides and planks attached to increase versatility. Available with or without wheeling gear (used to safely & easily move the box).

Options: GBBX030 0.91m (3') high 2 section bar box £630.90 GBBX031 0.91m (3') high 2 section bar box with wheeling gear £738.20 GBBX036 1.07m (3'6") high 3 section bar box £689.50 GBBX037 1.07m (3'6") high 3 section bar box with wheeling gear £796.80 GBBX042 1.27m (4'2") high 3 section bar box £793.10 GBBX043 1.27m (4'2") high 3 section bar box with wheeling gear £900.40 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com Vaulting buck Vaulting Buck Traditional vaulting buck with a high quality

 padded hide body and fully adjustable steel legs.

Also available with castors to safely & easily move the buck. Height adjustable from 1020 to 1630mm. Options: GVHS081 Vaulting buck £518.00 GVHS082 Vaulting buck with castors £550.60 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com Square end vaulting horse Dropneck vaulting horse Vaulting Horses Traditional vaulting horses available in square end or dropneck versions. The bodies are upholstered in high quality hide, and the steel legs are fully adjustable, and available with or without castors to move the horse. Also available with or without pommel handles. height adjustable from 915 to 1350mm.

Options: GVHS041 square end vaulting horse £760.60 GVHS042 square end vaulting horse with pommels £858.60 GVHS043 square end vaulting horse with castors £798.00 GVHS044 square end vaulting horse with pommels and castors £905.30 GVHS051 dropneck vaulting horse £779.30 GVHS052 dropneck vaulting horse with pommels £896.00 GVHS053 dropneck vaulting horse with castors £821.30 GVHS054 dropneck vaulting horse with pommels and castors £929.60 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com Junior springboard Senior springboard Springboards Traditionally designed timber springboards, available in two versions. The Junior springboard is carpet covered and is suitable for school and general use.

The Senior springboard has a padded and upholstered top and is suitable for school and club use. Options: GSPR040 Junior springboard, 140mm (5 1/2") high £201.60 GSPR030 Senior springboard, 210mm (8") high £252.00 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com Mini parallel bars Standard parallel bars Parallel Bars Gymnastic and training parallel bars available in two types. The mini bars are constructed from steel and are lower in height making them ideal for training. The bases can be detached for easy storage. The standard bars are height and width adjustable, with a sturdy steel frame and wooden bars. The frame is also fitted with wheels for ease of movement.

Options: GPAR050 Mini parallel bars £190.90 GPAR030 Standard parallel bars £929.00 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com 3 panel Y shape frame Double panel & single panel frames Dynamic Steel Climbing Frames The Dynamic range of climbing frames comprises a variety of steel panels which can be combined in a number of layouts, offering complete flexibility to suit any size of school gym. The frames folds flat against the wall when not in use, and are supplied complete with ladders to provide additional support and versatility. Available in single, double or triple panel frames, with 2 or 3 sections per panel. Choose from 7 different section designs.

Contact us for an installation quote Options: GCFS041 Single panel dynamic steel climbing frame (2 sections per panel) £771.40 GCFS042 Double panel dynamic steel climbing frame (2 sections per panel) £1,157.10 GCFS043 Triple panel (Y shape) dynamic steel climbing frame (2 sections per panel) £1,542.90 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com Y shape triple wooden climbing frame Single and double panel wooden climbing frames Wooden Climbing Frames Traditional timber climbing frames, available with a choice of different panel designs and with a choice of layouts, making them ideal for all sizes of school gym. The frames fold flat against the wall when not in use, and are supplied complete with all required fixings. Available in single, double or triple sections. Choose from 6 different panel designs, each with either timber or metal bars. Choose which hinge kit is required. Contact us for an installation quote.

Options: GCFN001 Single panel wooden climbing frame £726.90 GCFN010 Single panel hinge kit £294.00 GCFN020 Double panel hinge kit £514.50 GCFN030 Triple panel (Y shape) hinge kit £486.20 GCFX013 Top tube 10' (3m) long £244.40 GCRS028 28mm diameter climbing rope £65.50 GCRS036 36mm diameter climbing rope £70.90 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com Wall bars Wall Bars Traditional single section timber wall bars. The bars can be combined any any quantity to form multiple sections.

2.7m (8'9") high x 0.84m (2'9") wide Options: GWBS020 single section wall bars £240.00 Contact us to place an order, or for further information: Tel: 01295 760907 | Fax: 01295 768092 | e-mail: sales@gym-tech.com Hexagonal movement table

Question: What is the name of the two handled vaulting horse used in gymnastics
Answer: Pommel